HC Deb 05 May 2000 vol 349 cc234-5W
Mr. Redwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the output of cars at Ford's Dagenham plant in the last 12 months. [120996]

Mr. Byers

In 1999 the Dagenham plant produced 190,977 vehicles.

Mr. Redwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he received a grant application from Ford for its Dagenham plant. [120815]

Mr. Byers

No.

Mr. Redwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what estimate he has made of potential job losses at Dagenham if Ford ceased car manufacture there; [120822]

(2) what his policy is on proposals to take over car manufacture at Dagenham; [120994]

(3) what discussions he has had with Ford about the ending of car making at its Dagenham plant; [120816]

(4) what recent discussions he has had with Ford concerning competitiveness in car manufacturing in (a) Germany and (b) the UK. [120995]

Mr. Byers

I and my officials maintain regular and close contacts with Ford on a whole range of issues.

Ford is currently undertaking a review on the whole of their European operations. The outcome of the review is not known and no announcements are expected until after the review has been completed. Any comment at this stage on possible implications for any of Ford's UK operations would therefore be premature and counterproductive.

Mr. Redwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has(a) to aid and (b) make grants to Dagenham in the event of car manufacture ceasing there. [120824]

Mr. Byers

Ford is currently undertaking a review on the whole of its European operations. The outcome of the review is not known and no announcements are expected until after the review has been completed. Any comment at this stage on possible implications for any of Ford's UK operations would therefore be premature and counterproductive.